Duong Lam Ancient Village, Hanoi

After the recognition of Hoi An ancient town, Hanoi old quarter, Duong Lam village in Son Tay Town (some 60km to the west of Hanoi Capital) is the first ancient village recognised as a national relic by the Ministry of Culture and Information.

Duong Lam gained prestige as the birthplace of two Vietnamese kings: Phung Hung (761-802) and Ngo Quyen (896-944). These leaders secured national independence through successful resistance against northern invasion. Therefore, the villagers later built temples to honor their memory.

I. Highlights of Duong Lam Ancient Village

The village’s 1,200-year history features houses up to 400 years old. Its distinctive architecture primarily uses locally abundant laterite and mud. Laterite appears in house walls, gates, wells, and temple walls, while mud comes from local ponds. Beyond its historical and tourism value, Duong Lam serves as a vital research site for studying ancient agricultural communities.

Below are some highlights of Duong Lam ancient village:

1. Well

The common well was built in every hamlet in Duong Lam village. The well brings the name of the hamlet it is located. At present, each family possesses its own well but the common well has been protected because it maintains many imprints of the villagers.

2. Communal House

The village encompasses five distinct communal houses, each serving as a spiritual center:

• Doai Giap and Cam Lam communal houses honor Phung Hung
• Cam Thinh communal house commemorates both the village founder and mandarin Cao Phuc Dien
• Dong Sang communal house (restored after fire damage) worships the village God
• Mong Phu communal house, dedicated to god Tan Vien Son, serves as the village’s cultural gathering place

II. Architecture of the House

Traditional houses feature distinctive elements:

• 5 or 7 spans with 2 wings
• 5 rows of columns (sometimes 4)
• Intricate wood carvings depicting flowers, leaves, and clouds
• Robust wooden door systems with 4 leaves per span
• Elevated thresholds (40-50cm above ground, 10cm from floor) for ventilation and humidity control

For tangible culture relic, Duong Lam has 21 relic sites, consisting of temples, pagodas and tombs and ten of which have been classified as national and provincial relics.

For intangible cultural relic, Duong Lam has preserved various festivals, customs and literature on the people and land of Duong Lam through different period of time. For ecological environment, Duong Lam has many beautiful scenes linked with legendary stories such as Guom Hill, Ho Gam Hill and tales on the two kings Phuong Hung and Ngo Quyen.

In recent years, people try to restore many relics in the villages such as Mia Pagoda, Phung Hung Temple, Ngo Quyen Temple and Mong Phu communal house. However, it is important to preserve not only the tangible cultural relics, but also intangible cultural relics and ecological environment and they should be carried out synchronously.

The ongoing preservation of Duong Lam ancient village remains crucial for maintaining Vietnam’s cultural heritage while promoting sustainable tourism development. Conservation efforts must consider both physical structures and living traditions to maintain the village’s authentic character.